Town Square

March Women's History Month

Original post made
by Simply Sterling, San Ramon,
on Mar 25, 2013

I just remembered that March is Women's History Month. I first learned of this more than twenty years ago when I was living in Boca Raton, Florida. I belonged to a women's group and in honor of WHM I wrote a poem. While fumbling through my computer, I just found it and thought it still appropriate. See what you think.

IN COMMEMORATION OF WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

Listen, my friends, and you shall hear
Tales of some women whom we hold dear
We don't want their lives to be mysteries
So we celebrate March with their histories.
Women of the past, we're not at a loss
We will start with seamstress Betsy Ross.
She sewed our flag so we could all see
Our symbols of freedom and liberty.
Then came Abigail, to Dear John she wrote
"Remember the ladies!" though they can't vote
Equals they weren't in so many ways
But these were the early American days.
Came the mid-19th century's Anthony and Stanton
Who went out on a limb, ravin' and rantin'
First temperance, then suffrage was their war cry
For sixty years, oh how they did try.
Not until 1920 did women's suffrage get passed
You'd think that women were equal at last
But wait, we had no birth control rights
Until Margaret Sanger put up some fights.
Women were breeders, caught in a bind
Of sex discrimination - but never you mind
The laws have been changed and now there is choice
Many women have worked hard for their voice.
Betty Friedan penned "The Feminine Mystique"
Helping women to figure out what they seek
Our lives unfulfilled by motherhood alone
No longer just caretakers of hearth and home.
Choices and voices emerged this past score
Gloria, Bella, Shirley, Marlo and more,
They juggled careers and motherhood, too
Told there's nothing superwomen can't do.
But we failed to gain ground without E-R-A
So caution because what we've got might not stay
Hold fast to the dream, make a personal vow
If you believe in our cause, please support NOW.
And someday we may have the dream that we hold
Women's full equality, it's possible we're told
But forget not the past and the women who dared
We've gained all we have because women cared.
Here's to the women of our future tomorrow
May they ever be free from hardship and sorrow
Of second class citizenry and sexual abuse
Dare to stand up - never say "What's the use"?

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Posted by Citizen Paine
a resident of Danville
on Mar 25, 2013 at 3:31 pm